Sero-Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with HIV Infection in Pregnant Women

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, 33 million people were estimated to be affected for life, approximately two third of them are African [1]. Sudan is bordered by countries with high rates of HIV infection, and the first AIDS case was reported in 1986 [2]. A behavioral and epidemiological survey (BES) was conducted by Sudan National AIDS Program in 2002 [3]. The prevalence among general population was 1.6% [4]. However, recent estimate of HIV/AIDS prevalence in Sudan after South Sudan separation was 0.4% [5]. This estimate makes Sudan the lowest countries with HIV/AIDS prevalence in Sub-Saharan Africa. The spread of HIV is influenced by poverty and illiteracy, both of which are widespread in Sudan. The movement of people displaced by harsh environmental conditions has increased the number of HIV/AIDS cases [2]. The spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are major public health challenges with adverse social and economic implications. About 90 % of children living with HIV have been infected through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) [6,7].